Free 108. An Archangel Called Ivan by Barbara Cartland Page A

that he was prepared to fight for it.
    “But, of course, you must have the horse you want to ride, Johnnie,” she told him, “and I think your choice is admirable.
    Johnnie’s eyes lit up.
    Then, as if he could hardly believe his good luck, he climbed up onto the saddle.
    “I love Spitfire,” he said, “and I know he missed me when I was not allowed to come here.”
    “Of course he did,” Arliva agreed, “and mind you tell him that it was not your fault you were not allowed to ride him and he will understand.”
    She knew that the Head Groom was listening to her with a twinkle in his eye.
    He realised without being told that she was used to horses and, as he suspected, a very good rider.
    When all four of them set off, Arliva would have been amused if she knew that he turned to the butler and said,
    “That be a slice o’ luck. We’ve got a real pusher ’ere at last.”
    “And not before time,” Evans said. “If you asks me she be a real lady and knows not only a good horse when she sees one but how the children should be brought up to be the ladies and gentlemen they was born to be.”
    The two men exchanged glances and then the Head Groom said,
    “Well, let’s ’ope ’er stays and for ’eaven’s sake give ’er what ’er wants indoors or else she’ll be orf to London like all the rest of ’em.”
    “I knows what you’re saying,” Evans replied, “and Mrs. Lewis and I’ll do our best. But you know how dull they finds it down here.”
    “Who can blame ’em for that?” the Head Groom asked. “We’ve ’ad some ghastly women who didn’t know their job, but this one’s the real McCoy!”
    “I agrees with you there,” Evans remarked.
    Arliva and the children were now riding away from the house led by Johnnie.
    “There’s a lovely wood which we used to come in until the Governess who left us last said the trees might fall on our heads and would not let us go there.”
    “She would not let us ride,” Rosie said, “and poor Star must have hated being shut up in the stables with no one to make a fuss of him.”
    “You must make a fuss of him now,” Arliva told her, “and tell him exactly what you are going to do. My father always taught me to talk to my horses and that is what you must do. They understand what you say to them and like to know what is happening just as we do.”
    She knew that the children were thrilled with what had occurred.
    When Johnnie led them into the wood, she thought that it was a lovely wood and the children should enjoy it.
    “I am sure there are fairies dancing here at night,” she said to find out what they believed.
    “My Mama told me there were fairies here,” Daisy said, “also goblins under the big trees, who live under the earth. But the Governesses we have had would not let us listen for them.”
    “You can come here whenever you want,” Arliva promised, “but for the moment we must think of Star and Sunshine who have not been ridden until today for such a long time. When we come out of the wood, we must give them a long gallop which is so good for their legs.”
    “I will lead the way,” Johnnie proposed. “I know the way to the old mill and the lake which I expect you will like. I have always wanted to swim in it.”
    “As long as it is safe, there is no reason why you should not swim now that the weather is hot,” Arliva said.
    The children stared at her.
    “Do you mean that?” Johnnie asked.
    “Of course I mean it,” Arliva replied. “What is the use of a lake if you are not going to swim in it?”
    “I just don’t believe you’re a Governess,” Johnnie piped up. “I believe you have come down from Heaven to help us. It has been really awful for us since Papa and Mama died and we have not had any fun.”
    “Well we are going to have lots of fun now,” Arliva promised. “I am sure that there must be children of your age who can come to a party.”
    Johnnie shook his head.
    “We have not seen anyone for ages and I find it so